Prostate Cancer Treatment

It is critically important for you to work with your care team to learn as much as possible about your cancer before making a decision about treatment.

Your treatment is for you, to help you live the best possible life despite your diagnosis. Make it personal.

A concern among doctors caring for patients with prostateThe prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bla... Full Definition cancerCancer is a group of diseases where cells grow abnormally an... Full Definition is overtreatment. Men who are screened for prostate cancer could discover prostate cancer that is in need of treatment. But they could also be diagnosed with a disease that is so low risk that treatment is not necessary.

For these men, careful consideration is in order. Many men who learn they have cancer want to do something—anything—to get rid of it. But in some cases, the cancer may be so small and so slow growing that it is not a threat to life at all. Driven by an urge to “get it out,” many men have had radical surgeries or radiation—and experienced side effects that significantly reduced their quality of life—when they could have chosen active surveillance, a plan to actively monitor the disease and postpone treatment until needed.

This is not to say that opting out of treatment is the best choice. For certain men, treatment may be lifesaving or life lengthening. Men should talk to their doctors about their risk level and choose appropriate treatments accordingly.

Your doctor will help guide you through the available treatments—and there are many.

If you aren’t sure that you have enough information to decide on a treatment plan, revisit the pages about Prostate Cancer Testing and talk to your doctor about additional diagnostics that might help you move forward.